Life Of A Spuckle

Frightened Rabbit - Swim Until You Can't See Land

2009-12-01T10:57:00.012Z

This is the first single from the second (or fourth) album coming in spring 2010 from Scottish band Frightened Rabbit (it all depends on whether you include the demo album Sing the Greys and the live album Liver! Lung! Fr!). The follow-up to 2008's Midnight Organ Fightjudging by this track the as yet unnamed new album should put them up on a par with with headline act Biffy Clyro who they recently supported in London.

U2 - No Line On The Horizon

2009-03-04T17:42:00.001Z

Here's the new U2 album, as pimped on very UK television show that'd let them on last week. It's getting mixed reviews, can't say I'm blown away either, but you're a U2 fan then I guess you'll like it.

Click here to buy the bog-standard version of No Line On The Horizon
OR
this Digipack version is a 'Limited Edition' of the album includes No Line On The Horizon in a digipak case, a 32 page colour booklet and fold out poster, along with access to an exclusive downloadable Anton Corbijn film.
OR (if you're feeling flush)
this box set version includes the digipak format of No Line On The Horizon, DVD of Anton Corbijn's exclusive companion film Linear, 64 page hardback book, plus a fold out poster.
OR
Get the cheaper MP3 version

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Awesome selection of New Music

2008-03-28T14:29:00.003Z

Don't ya just get downhearted when someone is doing the same thing soooo much better than you:

I heartily recommend the dishes served up by Pasta Primavera to everyone.

I SUCK.

The Wombats - Moving To New York

2006-12-15T16:04:00.000Z

This is the latest single from great Liverpudlian three-piece The Wombats, it's on 7" vinyl limited to only 500 copies, so get in quick.

The Wombats - Lost In The Post

The Kids label, who released their first two singles have also put out The Best Kids Christmas Album In The World Ever Ever Ever!!! which has agreat track by The Wombats - Is This Christmas?"

The Wombats - Patricia The Stripper

The Wombats - Party In A Forest

The Wombats - Backfire @ The Disco

The Wombats - Sunday TV

The now obligatory MySpace page.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Perpetuum Mobile

2006-11-20T15:20:00.000Z

Not the usual fare today - some classical music for you.

This has totally stuck in my mind and it's the theme from a great new show on CBS called 3 Lbs. which I believe is the replacement for the very short-lived Smith.

Morland - Style Wars

2006-10-24T09:33:00.000Z

They've got that current Indie Brit sound but 5-piece Morland are Swedish. Founded in Stockholm in 2003 by lead vocalist Andreas Morland they had a fair bit of domestic sucess in 2005 with this single, and they're currently showcasing their talents in the UK.

Morland - Ants Don't Sleep

Morland - 1994

There are plenty more tracks to download via their website.

..and of course they've got a My Space page.

Elmo TMX

2006-09-20T12:46:00.000Z

The 10th Anniversary Tickle Me Elmo has been released, and looks like being the Xmas toy to have. Whilst you still can, order one HERE!

A quick peek at eBay.com, and already they're going for $150, not bad for a $39.99 toy!

To view a video of what all the fuss is about here.

Mads Langer - Casual Cliché

2006-09-18T12:16:00.000Z

Mads Langer is considered by many international music critics to be the next big breakout star from Denmark. He recently released his debut album titled, Attention Please, on the übercredible indie Copenhagen Records and its already receiving rave reviews.

Downloads from his MySpace page:

Mads Langer - Poem With No Rhyme

Mads Langer - Breaking News

Mads Langer - House Of Life

Mads Langer - Love Letter

Andrew Morris - Let It Roll

2006-09-05T15:21:00.000Z

This is the new single for Brisbane-based singer-songwriter Andrew Morris. Andrew has emerged from the recording studio following two years of prolific touring, and this song is the opening salvo from forthcoming album Valleys.

I'm on bit of an Aussie kick after seeing the Bernard Fanning gig (from Powderfinger) last night in London. He dedicated Believe to 'The Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin, and played a couple of new tracks, one was a 'bonus track' Weekend Of Mystery on the UK edition of Tea & Sympathy, and one that didn't make it on the album. He also played a couple of covers (of Sam Cooke and the Rolling Stones).

Cardinal Trait - All For You

2006-08-23T14:00:00.000Z

First apologies for the lack of update *AGAIN*, life keeps getting in the way! Anyhew back to the music...

Cardinal Trait hail from Oklahoma and play some decent melodic rock, enjoy!

Cardinal Trait - Nowhere Land

Cardinal Trait - Flashback

Cardinal Trait - White

Cardinal Trait - Ardmore

Buy the album from CD-Baby.

Branded - Tits Out For The Lads!

2006-04-19T09:33:00.000Z

Another contender for the English World Cup 2006 song, definitely the boldest entry!

The song even has its own website.

"Branded is the name of the band cos we like brands and use lots of them in the songs.", according to JoBabe the lead singer "Our aim as a band is to keep it real, we write about real things that affect real peoples lives, which is why humour and fun are a real focal point of all our songs, cos lets face it you can't take life too serious all of the time!!!"

Primal Scream - Country Girl

2006-04-07T08:33:00.000Z

The link to the file of Primal Scream's new single won't fit in the title, so it's here instead:

Primal Scream - Country Girl (Live)

As this is a link to their MySpace account it may not last much longer, so get it whilst you can!

It's a rough, live version of their new single out May 22nd, which is a track from the forthcoming Riot City Blues album due out June 5th.

LP tracklisting:
01 - Country Girl
02 - Nitty Gritty
03 - Suicide Sally & Johnny Guitar
04 - When The Bomb Drops
05 - Little Death
06 - The 99th Floor
07 - Boogie Disease (Originally titled 'We're gonna boogie')
08 - Dolls (Originally titled 'Sweet Rock n Roll')
09 - Hell's Comin' Down
10 - Sometimes I Feel So Lonely

The band also have an old crazy/arty website PrimalScream.org.

The Head Set - Enemies

2006-03-07T16:47:00.000Z

Bit behind on The Head Set, with fellow bloggers from across the pond posting mp3s a few months back, but hey...

The band first came together in early 2002 as a pickup band for a student show at NYU. Singer Jordan Blaugrund had a couple songs ready and needed a band – first call was to his brother Mike (drums), who in turn tracked down Eliot Wadsworth (guitar) and Brett Sherman (bass), old bandmates from Boston and themselves recent NYC transplants.

The NYU show was well received, and before long The Head Set had audiences singing along at Mercury Lounge, Arlene's Grocery, and the rest of the New York rock circuit. Then in May of '03 the band set up camp at Bushwick Studios in Brooklyn for the sessions that yielded their first EP, Ask Her Twice.

The following 3 tracks are from the Ask Her Twice EP (2003), available from CD Baby:
The Head Set - 1982
The Head Set - Come On, Come On
The Head Set - A Regular Bonnie & Clyde

Preview sample tracks from The Head Set's upcoming album here.

Also, see the band's MySpace page.

Young Stanley - 442

2006-03-03T14:54:00.000Z

As a Scot born & bred, I hope England get beaten in every sport they play - it's got to do with 300 years of oppression...

Anyway, aside from that, they've definitely outshone us Scots when it comes to their footie songs - not that us Scots have had need one of late given our qualifying performances. Notable ditties include Baddiel & Skinner's 1996 Three Lions and World in Motion for Italia '90.

Young Stanley consists of five builders, Rod Aylen, Paul Aylen, Jay Cranston, Mark Duffin and Mark Snelgrove along with guitarist Noel O'Reilly, all living in Bromley. They took their name from the son of one of the lads, and has always been referred to as "Young Stanley".

When working together on a building site last summer, they got talking about football (as usual!), and they all agreed that whenever England do well in a major tournament they seem to have a good song to back them. Inspired by the conversation, Rod decided to write a song which would capture how they all felt. "Most of us were born in or around 1966 so we have only known 40 years of disappointment.", says Jay the brickie. "We all really believe that this year is our time to bring the trophy home, so come on lets get behind the boys and SING IT FOR ENGLAND!"

It's remarkable catchy, and I can see the fans singing it on the terraces this summer.

The Feeling - Sewn

2006-02-24T15:20:00.000Z

The Feeling met at college in London. They answered an ad in the back of a music mag for a covers band to play a season in the French Alps, then spent three months living in a shoebox on the side of a mountain and playing ten two hour shows a week for drunken snowboarders.

They returned to London determined never to play a cover ever again, set up their amps in a garden shed and recorded some of their own songs, one of which was 'Sewn'. Their name came from a neon sign on a bar in Paris they drove past on their way home.

The single is released on Monday - buy it here.

The Feeling are:
Dan Gillespie Sells - vocals & guitar
Richard Jones - bass
Kevin Jeremiah - guitar
Ciaran Jeremiah - keyboards
Paul Stewart - drums

You can download and hear more on the band's MySpace page.

OX - Broken Silver

2006-02-08T13:58:00.000Z

OX are from Brighton, UK and are named after vocalist/guitarist Jim Oxborrow who founded the band with drummer Jimi Ashmore.

Their debut 6 tracker Blood was released in January 2005 on independant label Co-Pop. They release this newly reworked mix of Broken Silver on 27th March, featuring new OX bassist Neil Mackenzie and drummer Ashmore on backing vocals.

It will actually be a record - on vinyl. It's a double A side in fact (with Six Nation State - Keep Dancing), with only 1000 7" vinyl copies made.

It's also released digitally a week beforehand but I guess, as you can download it here - through the band's own website I should add, it's a bit pointless.

OX - One Past Five
(you'll need to add .mp3 to the filename)

Download two more OX tracks Kickin' The Kerb and Blood Of The Soul at the band's MySpace page.

The Swear - The Sleep Inside

2006-01-24T11:41:00.000Z

Some cracking rock for you today from Atlanta's The Swear. The band are writer/guitarist Elizabeth Elkins, guitarist/writer Jeremy Zamora, bassist Kevin Williams and drummer Kent Aberle. Together they create some great, powerful punk-rock songs.

The Swear - January

Their debut mini-album, Every Trick's A Good One is a six-song EP produced by Russ-T Cobb (Bowling for Soup, Avril Lavigne) & mastered by Howie Weinberg (System of A Down, The White Stripes, Nirvana) and can be bought through the band's website.

The Swear - Chicago

The album's sound has been described as "Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napolitano fronting Green Day."

If you want to hear more you can download the track Deadfall, and stream the track List at their MySpace page.

Jets To Brazil - Psalm

2006-01-04T12:39:00.000Z

After spending the better part of the '90s as the frontman for Jawbreaker, Blake Schwarzenbach had decided to move to New York and become a writer. But on the night of Jawbreaker's last show ever, Schwarzenbach met Jeremy Chatelain, whose own band Handsome was about to hit the skids. The two met up in Brooklyn a few months later and, with former Texas Is the Reason drummer Chris Daly, initiated a new project - Jets to Brazil.

With the 1998 release of their first LP, Orange Rhyming Dictionary, Jets to Brazil surprised most with their fresh and excitingly powerful breed of music.

Jets To Brazil - Resistance Is Futile

Jets To Brazil - Starry Configurations

As the bandmembers became more comfortable with their expanding sound, the world could see something quite intriguing evolve. Jets to Brazil followed up with Four Cornered Night in August 2000. Adding a second guitarist (Brian Maryansky), some epic piano parts, and even cello.

Jets To Brazil - You're Having The Time Of My Life

Jets To Brazil - Your X Rays Have Just Come Back From The Lab And We Think We Know What Your Problem Is

Two years later, the band returned with their darkest, most inspirational material to date; Perfecting Loneliness appeared in October 2002 and reflected tightened musicianship from the band.

Jets To Brazil - Perfecting Loneliness

Jets To Brazil - Cat Heaven

In March 2003 the band announced the addition of Matt Torrey, filling the drum spot left vacant by Chris Daly's late fall departure, before finally breaking up later in that year. JetsToBrazilOnline.com has disappeared with the end of the band, but a fansite still survives.

Johnnie Burton - Volcano

2006-01-03T15:18:00.000Z

Yummy Johnnie Burton is a REAL rock chick from East Hollywood and supplies our first track of 2006.

Johnnie Burton - Hello Lover

Johnnie’s band includes: Dave Philips on lead guitar formerly of Frank Black and the Catholics, Ralf Balzer on drums from The Flys, and Paul Engel from Fluter on Bass.

Johnnie Burton - Red Rubber Ball

You can buy her self-titled independently released album through Paypal on her website, as well as being able to stream a few more tracks.

Far Beyond Frail - Broken Dreams

2005-12-16T15:47:00.000Z

Far Beyond Frail are a duo from Martha's Vineyard.

Far Beyond Frail - Too Late To Cry

You can buy stuff here, or you can hear more of Sharlynn Verner and David Cecil at on MySpace.

P.S. Anyone listening out there?

Life Of A Spuckle radio

2005-12-13T16:26:00.000Z

This station plays on Pandora, a music listening and discovery service. Pandora enables users to easily create streaming stations that explore their favorite parts of the music universe. When you click on the link, you'll automatically receive a free no-questions-asked trial so you can listen to this station--and create some more of your own.

Enjoy!

Lior - This Old Love

2005-12-06T16:35:00.000Z

The Top 3 Oz tracks of 2005 (according to an Aussie I know).

The first track is from the Lior album Autumn Flow, which is available here (with free worldwide postage).

~~Sarah Blasko - Flame Trees~~ from the Little Fish soundtrack.

The third pick is Missy Higgins - Stuff and Nonsense from the tribute album She Will Have Her Way: the songs of Neil and Tim Finn, available here (again with free worldwide postage).

Sorry I couldn't find a link to an mp3 of this track.

~~I've no idea how long either of these tracks will be available for, so get 'em whilst you can!~~ Update: both links gone, sorry!

Vervein - Pelican (rough mix)

2005-11-22T11:07:00.000Z

More of that lovely whispery, swirly sound from the Vervein girls, this is from their new album The Weather Inside.

You can hear some more full tracks at their MySpace page, or alternatively some 2min samples of every track at CD-Baby, where you can also purchase the album.

Forth Street - Devil in an Angel Costume

2005-10-27T03:43:00.000Z

Forth Street are a new five-piece from Scotland. Having only started this year the above track is pretty impressive - lead vocalist & songwriter Lynne Howard did start her first band at 15 though, and cites influences from every music genre.

Forth Street - Gasping

Listening to Forth Street I can't help thinking they sound a bit like Vervein, mentioned eons ago in this blog, but with a harder edge - no bad thing. Like Vervein, they too are an all-girl group.

Forth Street - The Roses

Vocalist/percussionist Laura is the brother of singer-songwriter Thomas Connell, featured around this time last year.

Psapp - Cosy in the Rocket

2005-10-03T13:21:00.000Z

Work's still crazy and I'm on holiday for a week come tomorrow, so here's a couple of tracks from London's Psapp. You may recognise the first track as being the theme to Grey's Anatomy.

Psapp - Glue Song

You can stream more at their MySpace account.

Enjoy, and I'll be back in a week!

Low quality tracks:
Psapp - Difficult Key from the Tracks for Horses EP.
Psapp - Dad's Breakdown from the Do Something Wrong EP.

Buy Psapp stuff at PostEverything.com.

Lack of postage

2005-09-21T12:10:00.000Z

Work is mental at the moment, sorry!

Orson - No Tomorrow

2005-08-15T13:15:00.000Z

This is a fabulous, catchy track.

Orson's mix of pop, rock, R&B and soul (described on their website as early Prince meets Queen) seduces most who hear it, yet the group is still playing only a couple of modest, often off-circuit shows a month, and struggled to release their first full-length CD after over four years together.

You can now buy the album Bright Idea at CD Baby

Orson are Chris Cano on Drums, ~~Chad Rachild~~ Kevin Roentgen on Guitar, Jason Pebworth on Vocals, George Astasio on Guitar, and Johnny Lonely on Bass.

You can download two more tracks from the band's MySpace account.

Claire Toomey - Found

2005-08-11T09:26:00.000Z

A teenage singer songwriter from Croydon in London, Claire Toomey has been singing and writing songs since she was ten years old, playing guitar and bass. Found is a recent demo, one of several co-written with Judie Tzuke and Graham Kearnes (Lucie Silvas).

Claire Toomey - One Last Look

Claire's career is on the up, with her recently signing with American management.

She plays The Bedford in London on Thursday August 18th.

Soft Pillow Kisses

2005-08-10T10:32:00.000Z

The link in the title above gives links to five free mp3s from band Soft Pillow Kisses.

Some nice whispery twee pop, they're like a cross between Belle & Sebastian and The Isis Project, you'd certainly never guess that they hail from the Phillipines.

Bona Roba - In The Cut

2005-08-02T11:53:00.000Z

Here's the best new rock band I've heard in a good while.

Bona Roba - The Slip

I've posted the first four tracks from their album Reach In And Get Her, as these are available on the band's own site.

Bona Roba - My Attorney

Thanks to Some Velvet for turning me on to Bona Roba.

Bona Roba - Cunningham Park

Rip off?

2005-08-02T08:53:00.000Z

Anyone else think that the new Texas single Getaway completely rips off ABBA's Honey, Honey...?

The Spinto Band - Oh Mandy

2005-07-29T12:35:00.000Z

A catchy track I'm sure you'll agree.

The Spinto Band are from Wilmington, Delaware with two sets of brothers, Thomas & Sam Hughes, and Jeff & Joey Hobson, plus their friends from high school Albert Birney & Jon Eaton. Nick Krill joined the band in late '97 and brought along the Spinto band name.

The Spinto Band - Crack The Whip

Read more at Bar-None (whilst their own site is under construction), you can also buy the album Nice and Nicely Done there too.

The Spinto Band - Brown Boxes

The band even have a blog running to document their summer tour, amusingly titled Where Will Our Van Break?

Enjoy!

Sniff sniff

2005-07-25T14:30:00.000Z

Bloody hayfever.

Just back from my hols, will attempt to share a tune or two tomorrow...

The Isis Project - Les Heures Ou Je M'Eclipse

2005-06-08T10:04:00.000Z

The Isis Project's self-titled album has music by Guy Chambers of Robbie Williams fame, the lyrics (all in French) are by Parisian folk vocalist Keren Ann Zeidel, and the vocals are actress Sophie Hunter.

I love the whispery French vocals on this.

Melissa Ferrick - Beijing

2005-06-02T11:35:00.000Z

First track on Melissa Ferrick's latest album The Other Side. I just like this tune and the sort of 'World Music' vibe to it.

Niccokick - Love & Neon Lights

2005-05-11T10:08:00.000Z

Niccokick is the brainchild of Swede Andreas Söderlund and actually started as a instrumental project. He then added vocals to the tracks thought it sounded good, then put a band together.

This is a track from Niccokick's debut album Awake From The Dead, My Dear Best Friend buy it in the EU or worldwide.

For me Niccokick are reminiscent of Arcade Fire, which is no bad thing, though it could just be because I think Andreas' vocals sound a lot like Win Butler.

I should thank ROTD for turning me on to them.

The Film - Can You Touch Me?

2005-05-10T08:57:00.000Z

This catchy song is from the Peugeot 407 advert with the wind up cars, it's being released as a single on the 9th of May. Enjoy!

Sorry no updates...

2005-05-06T09:12:00.000Z

...I'm very busy at the moment.

That and I'm not inclined to take any time out to post as there have been no comments for post after post.

British Sea Power - Please Stand Up

2005-04-27T11:05:00.000Z

From their own website:

British Sea Power play amplified rock music and are based in Brighton, East Sussex.

The British Sea Power story really started in Kendal, Cumbria, up beside the English Lake District. It was here that brothers Hamilton and Yan attended the same school as drummer Woody. After finishing his exams, Yan relocated to Reading, Berkshire, where he met a guitarist from Leeds called Noble. Hamilton and Wood came down to Reading to join the jamwagon and, in essence, British Sea Power had begun. However, it wasn't until the band moved to Brighton that anyone noticed.

The second BSP album is called Open Season. It is an album that retains this band's peculiar power while adding new dimensions of poise and prettiness.

Porcupine Tree - Chloroform

2005-04-19T09:27:00.000Z

Porcupine Tree are probably the most important band you've never heard of. This is a bit of a departure for me, the Progressive Rock genre isn't usually for me, but this is the music I wish Pink Floyd was doing now.

Porcupine Tree - Hatesong

The new album Deadwing, came out at the end of March.

To get it cheap click here.

Trippy, atmospheric, with some surprisingly intense moments. Leave a comment if you'd like a little more Prog Rock.

Mono Band - Run Wild

2005-04-14T12:58:00.000Z

Mono Band is the new project of Noel Hogan, songwriter and guitarist in The Cranberries.

Mono Band came about by accident. The project's origins lie in discussions The Cranberries began two years ago to plan their next album, but they decided to put the next album on hold instead. After more than dozen years of relentless touring and promotion, the band decided it was time for a break. The official line is that they are on a two year sabbatical.

Mono Band - She's So Blue

But Noel had new songs that simply wouldn't wait around, the Mono Band album is the result, it wasn't really planned as a solo album at all.

Peter Docherty - Acousticalullaby

2005-04-07T12:49:00.000Z

Download the ex-Libertine's 16 track Shaking and Withdrawn Megamix, it's not too shambolic - sorry couldn't resist!

Clear Static - Talking In Your Sleep

2005-04-06T12:32:00.000Z

Clear Static are a five piece smart-pop band from Los Angeles. Two members met in a fine arts highschool and named themselves after an Ultra-sex social movement in a Schroeder novel. The songs are pop-rock with a heavy '80s influence, in fact they're supporting on the current Duran Duran tour.

They are currently signed to Lizard King, having followed a very similar path to The Killers. They are due to release some material in mid-April.
To hear more click here.

Yeti - Never Loose Your Sense Of Wonder (Demo version)

2005-03-31T11:16:00.000Z

Yeti are from London, and the "proper" version of this song was released as a single on Monday 26th March - buy it here. It's a catchy tune with jingly-jangly guitars reminiscent of music of a bygone era. The single's B-Side Midnight Flight is altogether darker - it's about a sleepwalking serial killer!

This link is from the now defunct Glamorama blog which called it a day recently.

Upcoming Gigs

2005-03-29T12:41:00.000Z

If you liked my Metric post from last August or my Death From Above 1979 post from January you might like to know that the Canadian label-mates are touring together in the UK in May, the dates are:

Wednesday May 18, 2005 - PORTSMOUTH UK - WEDGEWOOD ROOMS
Thursday May 19, 2005 - BRISTOL UK - FLEECE
Friday May 20, 2005 - LEICESTER UK - CHARLOTTE
Saturday May 21, 2005 - LIVERPOOL UK - ACADEMY 2
Sunday May 22, 2005 - MANCHESTER UK - ACADEMY 3
Monday May 23, 2005 - EDINBURGH UK - THE VENUE
Tuesday May 24, 2005 - NEWCASTLE UK - UNIVERSITY UNION
Wednesday May 25, 2005 - LEEDS UK - COCKPIT
Thursday May 26, 2005 - LONDON UK - SCALA

Metric *may* also be playing an NME show on Friday May 27th in London.

The Caesars - Jerk It Out

2005-03-24T10:50:00.000Z

This is the tune from the catchy iPod Shuffle TV ad, and is due for release as a single in the UK on April 18th. (I'm not sure how long this download will last and I'm sorry for the slowness too).

The Caesars (aka Casears Palace and The 12 Caesars) are a Swedish garage rock band, the name coming from lead vocalist Cesar Vidal. The new album Paper Tigers is released on 25 April.

This is the follow up to their international debut, 39 Minutes of Bliss (In An Otherwise Meaningless World) which was a composite of their previous three releases in Sweden.

The Flairs - 18 & Life (Skid Row cover)

2005-03-07T11:06:00.000Z

The Flairs are a 21st century band ready to take the world by storm with their catchy, hook-laden rock songs harkening back to the days of '80s metal and punk, sweetly flavoured with female harmonies and a-whole-lotta attitude. They are currently touring their native Canada.

The first seeds of The Flairs were planted when vocalist/guitarist Dawn Mandarino (who started in Lillix) and powerhouse drummer Jen Foster,
then playing with their former pop outfit Tuuli, met guitar-slinging babe Gillian Hanna of Bif Naked.

Kiona - Slowmotion

2005-02-17T14:15:00.000Z

Kiona are a unsigned Danish band who play intense, soaring and curious pop-rock. Slowmotion is the opening track from their new EP, produced by Dennis Ahlgren (Zero 7).

	Kiona - One Big Volcano from the Kiona EP.
	Kiona - The View from the Never Home EP.

They headline the Camden Underworld, London on March 2nd, and then Halfmoon, Putney on March 3rd.

Nine Black Alps - Shot Down

2005-02-15T17:33:00.000Z

This is scheduled to be the first proper single from Manchesters Nine Black Alps
at the beginning of March, and I think this band show a lot of promise.

Trader - Used To Lie

2005-02-14T14:19:00.000Z

Remember the BRITS in 1996? It was the one where Jarvis Cocker could take no more and mooned at Michael Jackson? 13-year-old Ashley Moore was the dancer injured in the resulting melee. Now 21, the Geordie sings awesome lead vocals for Trader.

This track is taken from a 4 track promo, the bands’ first recording session, from late last year. Used To Lie is a beautiful epic (at 6 minutes-long) tale of regret.

Trader play Parker Palace in Holborn, London on March 10.

Lake Placid - Is This Love?

2005-02-08T11:54:00.000Z

This is taken from the debut album Make More Friends. I don't know much about them, but I know I like 'em - I'll just use their own press release:

"A rock band of eight people? You can't do that. They look like circus freaks..." The sentence above was uttered by a high ranking employee of a major Danish record company and was aimed at new Danish band Lake Placid. And in many ways, he is right. Most people have the idea that rock musicians must look like a trendy fashion photo and feel very much at home at exclusive jetset parties.

"Trust us although we look funny"
Lake Placid - We Are The Lakes (Sample)

The story of Lake Placid is about a town planner, a film student, a DJ, a bike messenger, two aspiring architects and a Danish New Yorkstress who have little in common. On paper, the band should not exist. But they do - and maybe it's the love of music and not their differences that hold them together?

On stage, Lake Placid look like a freak show - but kind of a cool one. Fronting the band is singer TK - behind her are seven individualists jumping around, dancing and partying among guitars and organs. Few in the band play only one instrument, so they often change places on stage. A Lake Placid concert is not a streamlined event, where the band brag of their expensive gear and rehearsed rock star poses. It is, however, an outlet of energy and eight freaks who give a damn about the norm and go nuts in music. This energy is just as evident live as it is on record.

Lake Placid - Hey Love (from BSBTA EP - Club, May 2003 Edition)

Lake Placid have been around on the Danish underground scene since 2001. The band have released an EP on their own label, played at Roskilde Festival, had a #1 on Danish indie radio and toured Denmark and Germany.

Lake Placid are not interested in being pigeonholed. In spring of 2004, they have played for both trendy artists at a Danish art school, at a school for lifestyle changes and at a school for children with dyslexia. Everywhere, they were met with huge applause and screams for additional songs.

Lake Placid - Bochum, USA (from Go Go Grasp)

Before a show in Hamburg, Lake Placid invaded the busy street in front of a venue and all eight danced to loud music from their own stereo system. The purpose? To get themselves and their music noticed outside the German underground. The result? The venue was packed that evening.

It's all about the music - not about which lifestyle you lead or what clothes you wear. The story can be heard everywhere on Lake Placid's debut album Make More Friends:

Casino - Fallen Out Of Love

2005-01-28T16:45:00.000Z

Casino were the first unsigned band to be playlisted on Kerrang! 105.2fm. They're a Birmingham five piece who supported Stereophonics on their European tour at the invitation of Kelly Jones. And they recently did three tracks for the Alicia Silverstone movie Global Heresy.

You can download 3 more songs - Again, Heavy Metal Machine & Throw Me A Line - by joining the Rock My World The Movie Yahoo Group which is free.

You'll hear more of Casino soon as they are to be featured on a MTV Advance Warning / American Airlines promotion.

In the words of Simon Pegg of Spaced/Shaun Of The Dead:
"So, turn off the lights, spark up a fatty and check your coat pockets for Jaffa Cakes. Tonight is gonna be a large one."

Karin Park - December

2005-01-28T16:28:00.000Z

This track won the Christmassong of the year-contest on P3 in Sweden with 49% of the votes. Karin Park are a five piece, named after their lead singer, a Swedish girl who met the rest of the band in Bergen, Norway. According to the website: "She is now telling the truth and lies to everybody who wants to hear her songs."

Karin Park - Superworldunknown

The album of the same name is released on Monday 31st - sorry for the low quality wma, but it should be enough to get you to go and buy the album - purchasing here on a familiar interface would likely be the easiest place for us English speakers to get it.

Karin Park - On My Way (Live)

MP3 Blogs - Is the writing on the wall?

2005-01-24T10:06:00.000Z

Moistworks has been shut down by the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Go to FatPlanet.Au to find out more - I'd also like to second everything posted there.

Guess...

2005-01-21T17:31:00.000Z

...who's had a busy week at work?

Back next week with a post or two!

Promise.

Death From Above 1979 - Dead Womb

2005-01-14T12:42:00.000Z

Bit more lively stuff in this post. This track is from the new Canadian band
Death From Above 1979 debut EP Heads Up!. The band features just two guys - a bassist who also plays keyboards and a singing drummer. The single Romantic Rights can be streamed through the website.

Death From Above 1979 - Little Girl

The debut album You're a Woman, I'm A Machine (featuring the above track) is due out in the UK at the end of February, and is out in the States already. Musically, it's all over the place (which in this case is a good thing, I'm sure you'll agree!). Cheers to my my mate Graham for the heads up [sic]!

Belle & Sebastian - Step Into My Office, Baby

2005-01-14T09:53:00.000Z

Belle & Sebastian are victors in the 3 month public poll to name the Best Scottish Band Of All Time (BBC News). This tune is the opening track of their latest album Dear Catastrophe Waitress:

The top ten list was as follows:
1 Belle & Sebastian
2 Travis
3 Idlewild
4 Wet Wet Wet
5 Sensational Alex Harvey Band
6 Simple Minds
7 Teenage Fan Club
8 Bay City Rollers
9 Primal Scream
10 The Proclaimers

I've posted a few more songs previously on B&S so take a look at the archive posts.

Box Five - Exercises in Modern Pop

2005-01-07T12:36:00.000Z

Box Five are a band from Philly, USA who are going it alone, releasing their debut EP for free online and seeing how far it can get JUST by word of mouth.

Hannah over at WhateversLeft has posted a reviewed on this, so I'll not bother. Suffice to say i like it.

Hanson - Penny & Me (Live)

2005-01-07T12:04:00.000Z

This is a live version of the lead single from Hanson's new album in America, which quickly became one of the most successful self-released records of all time. Hopefully this will help them shake off the legacy of their biggest commercial hit Mmm-Bop, still being used in adverts today, and give them the indie credibility they deserve.

It's released as a UK single on January 24th, and it looks like Hanson might have a UK hit too. It's a great pop record and no-one else is making them like this right now.
Reuters News Story.

Fear of Music - Skin & Bones

2005-01-07T11:40:00.000Z

Hello, and Happy New Year! Posts have been sparse recently because of the turkey-fest - I didn't wan't to get the keyboard all slimy from my fingers (yes, i like the brown meat best).

I featured their song The Waltz way back in September, and here's my next offering from Manchester's unsigned teens Fear Of Music.

Named after the third Talking Heads album (I'm sensing a parental influence here), they are to release a double A side single in March. I'm hoping for big things for them in 2005!

Little Britain

2004-12-29T15:08:00.000Z

This is the comedy of the moment in Britain, if you're into it then you'll love the following:

Andy Pipkin - Want That One
Andy is my favourite character, a 'paraplegic' guy who isn't as disabled as he makes out, and gives a hard time to ever-patient care worker Lou Todd. Lou and Andy are allegedly based on Lou Reed and Andy Warhol.

There's even an Andy 404 page!

Daffyd Thomas - The Only Gay In The Village (you may have to register)
This track was made by SulphuR (AKA Liam Fairclough) who is obviously a fan of Little Britain, in particular of Daffyd Thomas, the glum Welsh homophobic non-practicing gay.

There's also an audio page full of Little Britain characters here, which features:
Lou & Andy (Yeah, I know)
Daffyd Thomas (The only gay in the village)
Vicky Pollard (No, but yeah, but no, but yeah.....)
Ray McCooney (YEEESSSS!!!!)

You can get the Little Britain - Series 1 DVD (Region 2) from CD-WOW for only £11.99 including free worldwide delivery.

Say No To 0870

2004-12-23T16:16:00.000Z

In the UK? Having problem with any of your pressies?

Check this website out to find the alternative customer service number that won't cost an arm and a leg like 0870.

X-FM Album Covers Quiz

2004-12-23T16:01:00.000Z

XFM have a great online album cover quiz. Simply type in the name of the artist and name of the album. There are 72 in total.

I've managed to get them all - eventually, so if your having difficulties just ask :)

Picks of 2004

2004-12-23T14:23:00.000Z

I must warn you in advance that I may go a little mainstream on you...

Until the New Year I'll be going through my pick of 2004. The tracks are in no particular order of preference:

Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress

Death Cab For Cutie - Lack Of Color

Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

Enjoy & Happy Holidays to one and all :o)

Fields Of Fire

2004-12-20T21:42:00.000Z

Here's my slightly late tribute to Stuart Adamson of Big Country who committed suicide 3 years ago.

Most people forget that Big Country achieved massive international success in the '80s, rivalling rock acts like U2 and Simple Minds.

11th Apr 1958 - 16 Dec 2001
Rest In Peace

I can't find any online Big Country songs, so here's an excellent cover:

Eddie Current - Fields Of Fire.

Here Here!

2004-12-08T16:39:00.000Z

Here are some very personal vitriolic attacks by journos on some of the nations favourite bands/acts of the last century. Often difficult to tell which parts are said with tongue in cheek and a lot will make you nod your head in agreement, particularly those bands you dislike yourself:

I for one, agree completely with the The Stone Roses paragraph.

Mark Aston - All The Road

2004-12-06T13:23:00.000Z

Mark Aston, the driving force behind late nineties rock group Addict, who were dropped by V2 Records after only one album (Stones). Reforming as Zanderman the band members went their separate ways after acheiving little with the acoustic album Live At The Kashmir.

Addict - Better Than This (ft. Emmy Lou Harris)
This track is taken from the Addict album Come On Sun with guest vocals by Emmy Lou Harris.

Mark Aston - Drowning By Degrees
Recorded last year as a contender for his first solo effort The End Is Near The Beginning but didn't quite make it.

Mark Aston - One Last Song
New track recorded June 2004.

Mark has just released his second solo album Rolling Souls

Knights - The Words Don't Come

2004-12-03T17:31:00.000Z

Just a quickie today - some Friday Funk, it's a little different to my usual fare I know... Anyhow, this track is reminiscent of Prince at his finest hour.

Knights are playing showcases around London most of December.

Atomica - 39 Flavours

2004-12-02T10:46:00.000Z

39 Flavours is the debut single from the Aussie super-group Atomica - featuring the guitarist of Baby Animals, the bassist from Silverchair, the writer of Madison Avenue's Don't Call Me Baby, and Kai Chambers (the son of XTC's drummer Terry) on drums.

As I'd really like to know your thoughts on them, I'm giving you loads of tracks today - so please comment...

You'll need Stuff-It Expander (or anything else that uncompresses sit files) to get the following tracks.

From the 39 Flavours single:
01 - 39 Flavours
02 - Higher than a painful God
03 - 39 Flavas (Black Dove remix)
04 - Shadows (3 Day Fever remix)

As yet unreleased Album Tracks:
Slow down
On it
17 (i was)
Shadows
BBSmash
$6mill man
Kung Foo
Supagroop
Wax Fantastic
Liberty or death
All that is

One Person CAN Make A Difference

2004-12-01T16:09:00.000Z

Signing for the deaf sparked Kiev newsroom revolt

Natalya Dymytruk, a 47-year-old mother of two who works as a translator for the deaf on the Ukraine's state-run TV channel, assumed she was making her final broadcast last Thursday when she decided to deviate from the official script. As a colleague read the heavily censored official version of events, Mrs Dymytruk did what her conscience told her, and signed to deaf viewers that they were being told a pack of lies and should not believe the government's claim that Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich had won the presidential election. She added "I am very ashamed to translate these lies. And this is probably my last day in this job, so goodbye."

But when she told colleagues what she had done, they held a meeting in the newsroom and decided she was right. The management, aware of western calls for free speech in the Ukraine, decided not to fire her. Instead, on Friday's evening bulletin a journalist announced that the news team would be joining the protest in Kiev, and said: "We are not lying any more." Since then, the content of the broadcasts has become a lot more balanced. And all because of the boldness of one woman.

From:- http://medianetwork.blogspot.com/

The Reindeer Section - You Are My Joy

2004-11-26T11:13:00.000Z

I first heard of the Reindeer Section a couple of years ago, when I found out that Belle & Sebastian (one of my favourite bands) were contributers. The album Son of Evil Reindeer offsets raw emotion and heartbreak with some beautiful instrumentation, including some B&S style orchestral backing music. The mood here is far brighter than on the previous, more experimental Y'all Get Scared Now, Ya Hear and the line-up of Glasgow-centric collaborators ( 27, though it seems far from crowded ) have put together an unashamedly melodic set of songs.

The Reindeer Section - Cartwheels

Fans of Snow Patrol, Belle & Sebastian, Alfie, Idlewild, Arab Strap, Mull Historical Society et al can buy this album with complete confidence. To the uninitiated, it could serve as an appetiser for any of the above (particularly Snow Patrol, as it's predominently a Gary Lightbody project).

I've read the album described as "hot chocolate for the ears", and I think that describes it just perfectly. It is simply gorgeous music to just lie down and wrap yourself up in. A delight to listen to every time it hits your speakers.

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

2004-11-25T13:05:00.000Z

The O.C. - Loved the show, especially the Seth's comedy. Here's my tribute, written by Leonard Cohen, the Season One finale song.

Xmas Mix

2004-11-23T16:57:00.000Z

Thanks to those few who posted comments on my last post, I'm still grumpy but too tired to care today after I was forced to work for 16 hours yesterday (9am-1am).

An early Xmas Mix for you courtesy of More Cowbell. I completed my list of (non-online) purchases for Xmas on Sunday, I therefore do not have to brave December shopping crush in London - this makes me happy and even a bit festive :o)

P.S. Apparently blogging was a story on The West Wing episode shown in the US last night.

Cirera - Motherfucker, Fake Vegetarian Ex-Girlfriend

2004-11-22T14:19:00.000Z

I've now gone 6 posts without any comments, so I guess no-one's reading so I'm not even going to bother telling you anything about Cirera.

Mood: Grumpy.

Martha Wainwright - BMFA

2004-11-16T14:17:00.000Z

I just missed seeing Martha Wainwright at Rough Trade's RoTa at Nottinghill Arts Club on Sunday afternoon.

Her new EP Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole is available at CD-Baby and select record stores.

Martha Wainwright - I Will Internalize

For those Stateside she plays Paramus Picture Show (65 Rt. 4 West, Paramus) in New Jersey tonight.

Martha Wainwright - When The Day Is Short

Pauline Taylor - Didn't Notice

2004-11-15T14:51:00.000Z

I love this kind of track - quiet, simple, dreamy, beautiful.

Pauline Taylor has a love for songs and song writing with a heavily traditional approach... meaning, you're gonna get lyrics with passion and relevance and music with bite.

Pauline is the voice of the million selling album Reverence from Faithless, and with them has performed to over ½ million people.

The Radio - Remember Me Remember You

2004-11-12T09:50:00.000Z

This track, with it's dreamy Phil-Spectory sound, is the opener on the debut album Kindness from Ireland's new indie supergroup The Radio, with Stephen M (ex-Rollerskate Skinny), Annie Tierney (ex-Chicks) and Mark Dennehy (ex-Johnny Pyro). Enjoy.

If you liked my Vervein post back in August, you'll love The Radio.

The Dawn Parade - The Underground

2004-11-11T10:13:00.000Z

The Dawn Parade’s new single The Underground – released November 15th on Sugartown / Pinnacle Records – will be the first new offering from the band since Rolling Stone’s Mike Krugman and Jason Cohen made Wider Than The January Skies Single of the Year at the start of 2004.

The Dawn Parade - Wider Than The January Skies

Having received the same accolade the previous year for The Hole in my Heart, The Dawn Parade's anthemic songs have also made the band favourites with BBC Radio One DJ John Peel, and witnessed an unprecedented level of Radio One airplay for an unsigned act.

The Dawn Parade - Hole In My Heart

The Dawn Parade’s 2003 Caffeine Row EP was embraced by the UK press, while the band’s live shows have received rave reviews.

The Dawn Parade - Caffeine Row

Two BBC Radio One John Peel Sessions – the celebrated second of which aired live from the legendary Maida Vale Studios in London – have followed, as well as X-FM sessions, five national UK tours, and an In The City performance which saw the band selected as the highlight of the industry weekend by The Hit Sheet.

2004 has already seen Dead Man’s Hand made a winner in the world’s premier songwriting award, the Nashville based International Songwriting Competition, which this year received 11,000 entries. With critical fervour for 2004’s live shows, the band can’t wait to get back on the road in November, while the long-awaited debut album might just be on the shelves before spring.

The Dawn Parade - The Passion

The Dawn Parade - Strung Out On Nowhere

Merril Bainbridge - For A Moment

2004-11-10T10:07:00.000Z

A quickie for you today: Merril is best known for the excellent Mouth, an international hit in 1997. This is from her new album. Vocally, melodically, lyrically, production-wise, it's simply lovely.

I'm Back!

2004-11-09T11:17:00.000Z

Back from my work deluge and from a short holiday to get over it - proper post later today hopefully....

Action Stations!!!

2004-10-27T13:26:00.000Z

A call to arms from Rachel at Scenestars to get Sony to release the Fiona Apple LP they've been sitting on.

Click here to beg Sony to release it.

Rachel's post (with 2 Fiona Apple mp3s for downloading):
Fiona Apple - Better Version Of Me

Mogwai - Honey

2004-10-19T10:01:00.000Z

This is from A Tribute To Spacemen 3 LP: Spacemen 3 were great songwriters combining the talents of Jason Pierce and Sonic Boom produing a raw, folky, Velvet Underground-esque sound. It's no accident that the founding members of the legendary Spacemen 3 are so all powerful that they each pilot revered solo projects. But where Jason Pierce's Spiritualized has shot forth into uberstardom with gospel choirs and sold out gigs at the Royal Albert Music Hall, Sonic Boom has always opted for the more experimental and obscure side of things.

Apologies.....

2004-10-18T13:24:00.000Z

....but my lack of posting is about to get a worse as my work kicks into overdrive for yet another short deadline. Will post whenever I get the chance though, but it'll likely be very intermittent. Hope you all understand.

Cheers

Gordon

The Best Sunday Afternoon CD....EVER!

2004-10-15T09:39:00.000Z

Live At The Hotel Café: Volume One
I can't recommend you buy this CD strongly enough - I know can't force you, but if you do, you won't be disappointed. I promise.
(I don't even have an affiliate program with CD-Baby, before anyone asks!)

From a close-knit family of talented local songwriters and friends, to touring national acts opting for a more intimate setting, the Hotel Café, once just a small coffee shop, has quickly blossomed into not only one of the best rooms to play in LA, but also a kind of all purpose clubhouse for a newly burgeoning community of songwriters...

Unfortunately the last time I was in LA I omitted a visit to this venue and it's something I still regret. Anyway, after more than a year of recording, mixing, and battling with record labels, the music from the Hotel Café is finally available to buy here.

The first, apparently, of a series of many to come. Volume One is an eclectic collection of live recordings from who is and who will be in the singer songwriter world. If you can't be in the room, Live At The Hotel Café is the next best thing. The CD features Gary Jules (of Mad World/last year's UK Xmas No.1/Donnie Darko fame)

Full track listing:
01. Jim Bianco - Tennessee Wedding
02. Jesca Hoop - Life Within A Life
03. Alexi Murdoch - Sinking
04. Amy Cook - Reveler's Twilight
05. Gary Jules - Wichita
06. Joe Purdy - Miss Me
07. Steve Reynolds - Only Son
08. Ian Ball - Neutron Dance
09. Tracy Bonham - Freed
10. Waz - Mine To Remember
11. Erik Penny - Extraordinary
12. Catherine Feeny - Maggie

Her Space Holiday - Japanese Gum

2004-10-13T09:36:00.000Z

I have to admit, I'm not too familiar with Her Space Holiday or any of the previous offerings but I'm pretty keen on the album this track is taken from - The Young Machines. I love the strings on this mellow track.

Her Space Holiday - My Girlfriends Boyfriend

From the website: Her Space Holiday is the brainchild of Audio Information Phenomena label owner Marc Bianchi. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Marc started his musical career playing in well known hard core bands (Indian Summer, Mohinder and Calm). After a couple years of enduring the unfulfilling "band life", Marc decided to trade in the smoky club atmosphere for an intimate home recording environment. Since 1996, Marc has been writing and recording music under the alias of Her Space Holiday.

More tracks from The Young Machines:
Tech Romance
Something To Do With My Hands
The Luxury Of Loneliness

From Manic Expressive:
The Ringing In My Ears
Key Stoke

From Home Is Where You Hang Yourself:
Sleeping Pills
The Doctor and the DJ
Snake Charmer

From the Ambidextrous LP:
Logic 'American Household' (Front Hug Mix)

Kasabian

2004-10-08T09:25:00.000Z

I'm a bit behind on this one I'm afraid...

Get your asses over to Scenestars for 3 Kasabian tracks. Processed Beats is my favourite track, with more than a small nod to the Stone Roses - it comes out on Monday as a single.

Vib Gyor - Fallen

2004-10-05T09:50:00.000Z

Unsigned Leeds band Vib Goyr only formed this year and have already received support from X-FM and Radio 1. Easy to understand why when you hear Fallen - an epic, with a great chorus.

In the short time that they have been together, they have financed and built their own recording studio, and written over an albums worth of material. Five of these songs make up the Insomnia EP, which was received to wide critical acclaim. The first 200 copies they had made sold out within a month.
Here's a complete download of the Insomnia EP
01-Permanent Disguise
02-Time
03-More
04-You Wear Me Out
05-Insomnia

After having the EP at number 1 on the Radio 1 unsigned site for 11 consecutive weeks they are now currently recording the second EP, and are recording a live BBC Radio session in October. On September 19th they did an acoustic set and an interview on ITC Radio:
Interview
Permanent Disguise (Acoustic)

Vib Goyr are:
David Fendick - Vocals/ Acoustic Guitar
Zane Keenan - Electric Guitar/ keyboards/ E-Bow/ Mellotron.
Jonny Hooker - Drums/ Percussion.
Jonny Mulroy - Electric & Slide Guitar/ Effects.
James Heggie - Bass

Thomas Connell - Trying To Roll Me

2004-09-29T10:10:00.000Z

Linked Fixed!!!!!
If you're a Bob Dylan fan, as Tom obviously is, then you'll like this catchy acoustic number. The 28 year-old is from Glasgow and likes Guinness (the real deal, not the Extra Cold stuff).

Tom plays the odd coffee house open-mic night around the city and often acts as a support act at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - one of the best live venues in the UK (its claim to fame is that Oasis were 'discovered' there by Alan McGhee on 31st May 1993).

Add a comment to let me know if you want to hear any more of him.

No Introduction Required

2004-09-27T14:31:00.000Z

Time for some classic songs from albums that I think everybody should have:

Queen - We Are The Champions
Queen consistently released high quality albums for well over 20 years. Enough ranting - here's an anthem from the 1977 album News Of The World, and is used as a chant for one lucky team per sport, per league, per year.

This is something that really pisses me off about current artist's releases - they need to realise that every song on an album should be great, not just 2 or 3 singles and a load of crap tracks to fill up the time to beyond the 30 minute mark. If I buy the first album of any artist and it's full of half-assed tracks then you can be sure I won't be buying the next - bang goes the artist's longevity. Am I alone in this???

Live - I Alone
Rant over - here's a great track from Live's best album Throwing Copper.
Live rose to chart success on the strength of its anthemic music and idealistic, overtly spiritual songwriting, two hallmarks which have earned the group frequent comparisons to U2 which can't be bad.

Skirtbox - For This Alone

2004-09-21T16:39:00.000Z

Something a bit LOUDER today: If you like rock with 80's guitar solos, you'll love these tracks.

Skirtbox - Swedish Pink
Skirtbox are a London band who have been together for seven years. They have released their first music video titled For this Alone from their forthcoming album Bitter and Direct will be available from Allstar Recordings from the end of September.

Skirtbox - Not For Me
Keep your eyes peeled for them on MTV2 and other music channels in the near future.

Skirtbox - Maybe
Skirtbox - Heading
For information on the band and pictures, or to buy the album visit: skirtbox.com

Other tracks (indirect links):
Skirtbox - Minky Xpress
Skirtbox - Speared Love
Skirtbox - Star of Deathlehem

Duke Special - Kill Me

2004-09-20T16:23:00.000Z

Something of a rarity, a truly original musician, in the shape of Peter Wilson who goes by the name of Duke Special (formerly of Booley and Benzine Headset). All he needs is for some unblinkered record label boss to turn him into the next David Gray.

Duke Special - As Good As It Gets
You can order the EP's Lucky Me and My Villain Heart direct via Paypal here.

Duke Special - I Let You Down
You can also download three songs featuring Duke Special on lead vocals - these were written by Ben Hales (ex of Ruth, The 45's) whose brother is Matt Hales (AKA Aqualung who Duke supported on the 2 tours).

Ben Hales - Like I Need You (ft Duke Special)
Ben Hales - So Fine (ft Duke Special)
Ben Hales - ¡Hey! (ft Duke Special)

Nizlopi - Girls

2004-09-17T11:32:00.000Z

Luke (Concannon - vocals, guitar & percussion) and John (Parker - double bass) met on a bus when they were thirteen. This marked the beginning of a long-standing friendship and musical collaboration whose offbeat touching lyrics are paired with a unique sound inspired by a myriad of disparate influences. They emanate
energy, passion and power in sound that sends your skin tingling. Their debut album Half These Songs Are About You has spent an unprecedented ten weeks at number one in the National Unsigned Network Chart and has been featured on both Radio One and Two.

Nizlopi (Live)
(sorry I dont know the track name for this)

Add to that appearances at two of Europes biggest and most prestigious music festivals, Glastonbury and the Big Green Gathering where audiences were totally wowed by each and every performance. Whether in a small and intimate club or a huge auditorium Nizlopi believe in "eliminating the gap between performer and listener". Expect them to unplug and get out there face to face with their audience - a truly awe inspiring experience.

Fear Of Music - The Waltz

2004-09-15T10:42:00.000Z

Yes, it's a waltz about a waltz, and the (unsigned) band are only in their early to mid teens. Steve Lamacq has played them on Radio 1, the NME are on board with a feature, and they've had strong local media support too (they're from Manchester).

They play on home ground at Tmesis on Sunday 19th September (onstage 10pm), plus an 'unofficial' gig at Bierkeller the night before.

Primary - Sirmintol 50

2004-09-15T08:46:00.000Z

Primary are an unsigned band from North London, and this track is full of indie-pop goodness and apparently is about to be released.

They play at 42nd Street in Manchester on Monday 20 September, onstage 8.15pm.

P.S. I don't know how long either of these links will last

The Bravery - Honest Mistake

2004-09-09T10:50:00.000Z

80s synth rock it is, but we'll forgive them as there's a hint of Joy Division in there as well, and a decent chorus & good lyrics. I've been informed that they've just signed to Loog/Polydor for Europe and IDJ for the US.

The Bravery - Fearless

The Bravery - No Brakes

Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

2004-09-08T13:54:00.000Z

Congrats to my compatriots, Franz Ferdinand, on their victory in last night's Mercury Music Prize. Actually I was a bit annoyed cos I had a tenner on fellow Scots Belle & Sebastian to win at rather good odds, in fact I was probably as peed-off as Trevor Horn (B&S producer) seemed after the announcement.

Belle & Sebastian - I'm A Cuckoo

Buy the B&S album Dear Catastrophe Waitress.

It was a good representation from Scotland with Snow Patrol's Final Straw also in the final twelve.

Snow Patrol - Run

Here's a tip: You get 3 bonus tracks on the Aussie version of Franz Ferdinand - at a price, inevitably.

The Hamburg Cell

2004-09-03T10:01:00.000Z

Watched some of this dramatisation regarding the September 11th 2001 hijackers on Channel 4 last night before it got so boring I switched off, but it gave me an idea for todays songs. It's nearly 3 years later, let us never forget...

Everybody's into Bush-bashing at the moment but here's a reminder that he dealt with this pretty well at the time, despite what you think of his subsequent actions - although I do think this mix would be better without Bush on it:
REM - Everybody Hurts (WTC Tribute)

This starts with *that* haunting answering machine message:
Eric Clapton - Tears In Heaven (WTC Tribute)

And to finish one of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands:
Live - Lightning Crashes (WTC Tribute)

I'm not a US citizen but the enormity & impact was no less felt here in the UK. The live footage of the towers collapsing from the top down is without a doubt the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. I'll always remember where I was and who I was with - I remember being... well... just stunned.

largehearted boy

2004-08-27T11:32:00.000Z

Just a quick post to tell you to get over to the largehearted boy blog.

Check out the 24th August post - Daily Downloads - If you have the same tastes as my goodself then get The Mooney Suzuki track for starters.

Other downloads - Rilo Kiley, The Libertines and Pinback tracks are all good.

Also, TTIKTDA has a new Green Day track which is a return to their roots.

Proper post soon I promise :)

Communiqué - Cross Your Heart

2004-08-24T09:25:00.000Z

I have to admit to not knowing a lot about Communiqué apart from they're from San Francisco, CA. In fact I couldn't really glean much more from their website. This first track is from their first EP A Crescent Honeymoon which is due to be released in the UK in the not too distant future.

The following two tracks are from the Poison Arrows LP, which was released on 15th June 2004 in the US:
Communiqué - Perfect Weapon

Apparently they've grown out of a punk background, though this is pure and simple rock if you ask me....

Communiqué - Evaporate

Both the EP and the LP are available here.

Rolling Stone seem to think quite highly of them, what about you?

Brendan Benson - Good To Me

2004-08-20T09:34:00.000Z

Brendan Benson, cruising out of Detroit with a glint in his eye and his best mate Jack White singing his praises,
is here to let a little sunshine into your life. There’s this simple paean to his trusty second hand car and the freedom of being a humble singer-songwriter. Sublime.

Brendan Benson - Jet Lag
His album Lapalco is a McCartney-worshipping treat with its eye on Elliott Smith’s mighty XO.

Brendan makes his first live appearances in the UK for over a year with a handful of intimate acoustic shows in September. He will be joined at the
gigs by Dean Fertitia from Detroit band The Waxwings, who will be accompanying Benson on guitar and keyboards.

The dates are as follows:
Bristol, Louisiana (September 23)
Wolverhampton, Little Civic (24)
Nottingham, Rescue Rooms (25)
Glasgow, 13th Note (26)
London, Borderline (27)
Liverpool, Zanzibar (29)